S p i r i t ua l i t y S t u d i e s 5 - 2 Fa l l 2 0 1 9 7 The Christ Pantocrator & HH the Dalai Lama The Christ Pantocrator of St. Catherine’s Monastery at Sinai is the earliest known version of the Pantocrator type. HH the Dalai Lama appeared on Time Magazine’s cover just as Jotipālo was working on the Pantocrator, and he immediately realized how his face was similarly non-symmetrical, so decided to paint these icons as a pair. investigation and energy). So, it’s important to keep mindfulness during the entire practice. It’s good to study this joy and get to know what cause it to arise, and what sustains it (and it’s opposite). Once we get to know joy, what naturally arises is tranquility (both of body and mind). With all of these factors, it is the previous factor that causes the arising of the next factor, but the next factor needs to be studied, cultivated and perfected, then that factor will automatically cause the arising of the next factor. It is only when our body and minds are calm and tranquil, what we can easily enter into states of concentration or one pointed awareness. Again, this state in not the goal but a state we need to investigate and understand. Once concentration has been developed, it naturally leads into equanimity. In more traditional Buddhist doctrines, the stress on concentration and virtue is equally balanced: They both are considered preconditions of success in practice. Why is it important to develop concentration skills on the moral grounds? Yes, virtue (Pa. Śīla) is very important – practice can be very difficult without it! My understanding is, that without having cultivated virtue, the mind will harbor thoughts of doubt, remorse, shame and guilt, which are hindrances to a concentrated mind. I’ve also heard it said that a concentrated mind that is not freed of greed, hatred and delusion will result in super concentrated states of greed, hatred and delusion! There are two mental qualities that the Buddha calledGuardians of the World. They are in Pāli, Hiri, often translated as “shame to do wrong”, andOttappa, “fear of consequences”. We often think of shame and fear as negative emotions, but in this case, you can see that there are actions, which undertaken can lead us in a bad direction, and we should develop a wise strategy to avoid following those inclination in our minds. MARTIn DoJčáR
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